Repair a Cracked Block???

[chap2130]

I have a 1996 Chaparral with a 5.7 Liter Mercruiser. I have been winterizing it myself for the past 7 years without incident. This year, it froze. It blew 2 freeze plugs and has a hairline crack in the block. I have been told by friends that it could be repaired with J-B Weld or by welding. I would prefer not to take this on myself, but I can't find anyone to take it on. The marine mechanics that I have talked to tell me that JB-Weld won't work. They don't want to weld it either. The all want to replace the block or the entire engine without even seeing my boat. Any thoughts on what to do?

 

[Bt Doctur]

If it is a fine line crack it may heal itself with rust and corrosion. Where they crack is right under the head and that 1/2 inch is impossable to weld

 

[Rick Midyette]

go to summit racing equipment look for manly super strong epoxy clean the crack with a wire brush on a drill clean with carb cleaner drill a small hole on each end of the crack
mix the epoxy well push it In hard with your finger after that put two more layers let It dry for a week . I did this to a crack on my 3.0 a few years ago and it is working fine

 

[Docksidemarineservices]

Replace the block.

 

[fastjeff]

Agreed! There's a zillion of them out there.

Jeff

 

[Rick Midyette]

I was just saying it worked for me but saving for a new motor the manly epoxy worked for me

 

[fastjeff]

Agreed, it can work, but why take a chance when SBChevy blocks are a dime a dozen?

Jeff